Cyber Crimes Are Rising In Innovative Form: Delhi HC Dismisses Bail Plea Of Man Accused Of Extorting Money By Morphing Images

The Delhi High Court has dismissed the bail plea of a man accused of extorting money from people after sending their morphed images to their contacts and blackmailing them.

“The offences, as the present one, are impacting the society at large, especially the poor and at times those who are not well-versed with the emerging cyber crimes, which are changing and are rising in innovative form on a daily basis.”, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma observed.

In this case, the complainant stated that he had received SMS for loan for 3rd Covid-19 vaccine dose on his mobile phone, and the SMS had a link for checking eligibility.

As soon as the complainant clicked the link, one mobile application (App) namely, Express Loan got downloaded. However, after four days of getting/availing such loan, he started receiving threatening calls from the developers of Express Loan App.

It was further stated by the complainant that Express Loan App developers somehow had access to the contacts stored in his mobile phone and to threaten the complainant, the accused persons started sending morphed images to his contacts.

Upon investigation, another complainant reported that a sum of Rs. 25 lakhs had been extorted from him in different accounts by the accused persons by morphing his images and sending to his relatives.

During the investigation, bank statement of complainant revealed that transaction amount was received by the present accused/bail-applicant in his bank accounts.

Advocate Devendra Kejariwal appeared for the petitioner-accused whereas Manoj Pant, APP, appeared for the State

The Court observed that the accused-bail applicant is also involved in two other cases of similar nature and several other complaints are still being received against him.

“The total amount which has been found to be forming entire transaction of the money extorted from people after sending their morphed images to their contacts and blackmailing them runs into Rs. 140 crores.”, the Court noted.

The Court observed that it cannot remain immune to the sufferings of innocent people who download such mobile applications and are thereafter, cheated of their hard-earned money.

The Court noted that the personal details of innocent people are being taken and misused for committing fraud.

Thus the Court rejected the bail plea of the accused.

Cause Title- Vineet Jhavar v. State (Neutral Citation Number: 2023/DHC/001053)

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